Basket lining material having an adhesive or cohesive thereon and method

ABSTRACT

A basket lining material, comprising a basket having an upper end, a lower end, an outer surface, and an opening in the upper end forming an inner surface, the basket opening being sized and shaped for receiving items and the items being retained in the basket opening by the basket, and a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer periphery, an adhesive being on the lower surface of the sheet of material, the sheet of material being disposed in the basket opening with the lower surface of the sheet of material being disposed adjacent the inner surface of the basket and the adhesive on the sheet of material adhesively contacting the inner surface of the basket for adhesively connecting the sheet of material to the inner surface of the basket. A method for disposing a sheet of basket lining material upon the inner surface of a basket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application U.S. Ser. No. 07/781,040 filed onOct. 21, 1991, entitled BASKET LINING MATERIAL HAVING AN ADHESIVE ORCOHESIVE THEREON AND METHOD, now abandoned, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/649,379, filed on Jan. 31,1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,638, entitled, METHOD FOR WRAPPING ANOBJECT WITH A MATERIAL HAVING PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE THEREON, andsaid application Ser. No. 07/781,040 is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. Ser. No. 07/502,358, filed Mar. 29, 1990, entitled WRAPPING AFLORAL GROUPING WITH SHEETS HAVING ADHESIVE OR COHESIVE MATERIAL APPLIEDTHERETO abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to basket lining materials and, moreparticularly, to basket lining materials having an adhesive or cohesivethereon, and methods of using same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the basket lining material of thepresent invention showing the upper surface.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the basket lining material of FIG. 1,but showing the lower surface.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional partial view of FIG. 2 taken alongthe lines 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified basket lining materialconstructed exactly like the basket ling material of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3,but showing a release strip connected thereto.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the basket lining material of FIGS.1, 2, and 3 or FIG. 4 disposed on a basket.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the basketlining material contained within the basket.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional partial view of FIG. 6 taken substantiallyalong the lines 7--7 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another modified basket lining materialshowing the upper surface.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the basket lining material of FIG. 8,but showing the lower surface.

FIG. 10 is a plurality of basket lining materials of FIGS. 8 and 9formed in a continuous roll of material disposed in a dispenser.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the basket lining material of FIGS. 8and 9 partially disposed in a modified basket.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the basket lining material of FIG. 11disposed in the basket.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional partial view of FIG. 12 taken substantiallyalong the lines 13--13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another modified basket lining materialshowing the upper surface.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the basket lining material of FIG. 14,but showing the lower surface.

FIG. 16 is the basket lining material of FIGS. 14 and 15 formed in acontinuous roll of material.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the basket lining material ofFIGS. 14 and 15 partially disposed in a basket.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 17, but showing the basketlining material contained within the basket.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional partial view of FIG. 18 taken substantiallyalong the lines 19--19 of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another modified basket liningmaterial, showing the upper surface.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the basket lining material of FIG. 20,but showing the lower surface.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional partial view of FIG. 21 takenalong the lines 22--22 of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is the basket lining material of FIGS. 21, 22 and 23, formed ina continuous roll of material having a release sheet.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the basket lining material of FIGS.20 and 21 disposed in a basket.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the basket lining material of FIG. 1,showing the upper surface.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the basket lining material of FIG. 25,but showing the lower surface.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a modified basket, showing a cohesivedisposed over the inner surface thereof.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing the basket lining material ofFIGS. 25 and 26 partially disposed in the basket of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 28, but showing the basketlining material contained within the basket.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 29 taken substantially alongthe lines 30--30 of FIG. 29.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of FIGS. 1-7

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, designated generally by the reference numeral 10is a basket lining material which is constructed in accordance with thepresent invention for lining at least a portion of a basket. The basketlining material 10 is used to line a basket. One such basket is shown inFIGS. 5-7, and is generally designated by the numeral 12.

The basket 12 has an upper end 14, a lower end 16, and an outer surface18. An opening 19 is formed in the basket 12, with a portion of thebasket opening 19 intersecting the upper end 14 of the basket 12 formingan inner surface 20. The basket opening 19 is sized and shaped forreceiving items (not shown), and the items are retained in the basketopening 19 by the basket 12. Examples of baskets 12 which are used inaccordance with the present invention include fruit baskets, Easterbaskets, and picnic baskets.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the basket lining material 10 comprises a sheetof material 22. The sheet of material has an upper surface 24, a lowersurface 26, and an outer periphery 28. An adhesive 30 is disposed on thelower surface 26 of the sheet of material 22. The adhesive 30 coverssubstantially the entire lower surface 26 of the sheet of material 22.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7, the sheet 22 is round. It will beappreciated, however, that any shape or size of sheet 22, or combinationof sheets 22, may be used to line the inner surface 20 of a basket 12 ofany shape or size. For example, a round sheet 22 may be used to line asquare basket 12, or vice versa. Moreover, when multiple sheets 22 areused in combination, the sheets 22 need not be uniform in size or shape.It will also be appreciated that the basket lining material 10 shown inall embodiments herein is substantially flat.

The basket lining material 10 may be made from a variety of materials.Examples of some basket lining materials used in accordance with thepresent invention are man-made organic polymer films, fabric (woven ornonwoven or synthetic or natural), paper, cellulose, foil, orcombinations thereof.

The term "man-made organic polymer film" means a man-made resin such asa polypropylene as opposed to naturally occurring resins such ascellophane. A man-made organic polymer film is relatively strong and notas subject to tearing (substantially non-tearable), as might be the casewith paper or foil. The man-made organic polymer film is a substantiallylinearly linked processed organic polymer film and is a synthetic linerchain organic polymer where the carbon atoms are substantially linearlylinked. Such films are synthetic polymers formed or synthesized frommonomers.

Each sheet of material 22 may vary in color. Further, each sheet 22 mayconsist of designs which are printed, etched, and/or embossed; inaddition, each sheet 22 may have various colorings, coatings, flockingand/or metallic finishes, or be characterized totally or partially bypearlescent, translucent, transparent, or the like, qualities. Each ofthe above-named characteristics may occur alone or in combination.Moreover, each surface of the sheet 22 may vary in the combination ofsuch characteristics.

The sheet of material 22 may be constructed of a single sheet ofmaterial or a plurality of sheets. Any thickness of the sheet ofmaterial 22 may be utilized in accordance with the present invention aslong as the sheet of material 22 may be disposed upon the inner surface20 of a basket 12 and remain attached thereto, as described herein.Typically the sheet of material 22 has a thickness in a range of lessthan about 0.2 mils to about 10 mils. In a preferred embodiment, thesheet of material 22 is constructed from one sheet of man-made organicpolymer film having a thickness in a range of from less than about 0.5mils to about 2.5 mils.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the adhesive 30 is disposed on the lower surface26 of the sheet of material 22 by spraying or painting it thereupon. Asshown in additional embodiments, i.e., FIGS. 20-24, the adhesive 30 mayalso be placed upon to the upper surface 24 of the sheet 22. Theadhesive 30 used herein may be any one of those known in the art andcommercially available.

The adhesive 30 imparts sufficient adhesion to permit the sheet ofmaterial 22 to be disposed in the basket opening 19 with the lowersurface 26 of the sheet of material 22 disposed adjacent the innersurface 20 of the basket 12 so that the adhesive 30 on the sheet ofmaterial 22 adhesively contacts the inner surface 20 of the basket 12for adhesively connecting the sheet of material 22 to the inner surface20 of the basket 12. The adhesive 30 also permits the lower surface 26of the sheet 22 to conform to the inner surface 20 of the basket 12.That is, the lower surface 26 of the sheet 22 adheres to the innersurface 20 of basket 12 and it adheres to like portions of itself, asshown in FIGS. 6-7. And, when the upper surface 24 of the sheet 22 alsohas adhesive thereupon, the upper surface 24 also adheres to likeportions of itself. In this manner, a customized fit of the sheet 22 tothe inner surface 20 of the basket 12 is obtained, even when the sheet22 is shaped and sized differently than the basket 12. It will beappreciated that when the sheet 22 is placed inside a basket 12, thesheet of material 22 covers substantially the entire inner surface 20 ofthe basket 12.

The adhesive 30 may also comprise at least one strip of adhesive 30extending over the lower surface 26 of the sheet of material 22, asshown in FIGS. 9 and 13. Alternatively, the adhesive 30 may comprise atleast one spot of adhesive 30 extending over the lower surface 26 of thesheet of material 22, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 19. The adhesive 30 maycomprise a variety of designs, both geometric and fanciful (for example,hearts, flowers, slogans, and the like). The adhesive 30 may alsocomprise a variety of colors. It will be appreciated that the adhesive30, when disposed upon the lower surface 26 of the sheet 22, issubstantially flat.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the adhesive 30 on the lower surface 26 of thesheet of material 22 may be covered with at least one release strip 32.The release strip 32 is used to protect the adhesive 30 before the lowersurface 26 of the sheet 22, and the adhesive 30 thereon, is disposedadjacent the inner surface 20 of the basket 12. The release strip 32 hasan upper surface 34, a lower surface 36 , and an outer periphery 38. Thelower surface 36 of the release strip 32 is disposed adjacent theadhesive 30 on the lower surface 26 of the sheet 22. It will beappreciated that the release strip 32 is also substantially flat.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate one method of use of the present invention. First,a sheet of material 22 and a basket 12, as described in detail above,are provided. The release strip 32 is removed from the lower surface 26of the sheet 22. Then, the sheet 22 is placed through the basket opening19 in the upper end 14 of the basket 12 with the lower surface 26 of thesheet of material 22 having the adhesive 30 thereon disposed adjacentthe inner surface 20 of the basket 12, to adhesively contact the innersurface 20 of the basket 12. The sheet of material 22 is spread over theinner surface 20 of the basket 12 to permit the adhesive 30 on the lowersurface 26 of the sheet of material 22 to adhesively contact likeportions of the lower surface 26 of the sheet 22 for adhesivelyconnecting one like portion of the lower surface 26 of the sheet 22 toat least one other like portion. The adhesive 30 on the lower surface 26of the sheet 22 contacts the inner surface 20 of the basket 12,adhesively connecting the sheet of material 22 to the inner surface 20of the basket 12. The connections of the sheet 22 to like portionsthereof and to the inner surface 20 of the basket 12 produce acustomized fit of the sheet of material 22 to the inner surface 20 ofthe basket 12.

Unless the sheet of material 22 is precisely sized to fit the innersurface 20 of the basket 12, overlapping folds 29 (only one suchoverlapping fold being designated with a reference numeral in FIGS. 5-7)are formed in the sheet of material 22. The overlapping folds 29 extendat different angles and over different lengths.

Embodiments of FIGS. 8-13

Shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is a modified basket lining material 10a which isconstructed exactly like the basket lining material 10 shown in FIGS.1-4 and described in detail previously, except that the sheet ofmaterial 22a is rectangular instead of round, and the adhesive on thelower surface 26a of the sheet 22a is comprised of strips, each stripdesignated separately as 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d.

The outer periphery 28a of the sheet 22a is comprised of four sides,namely, a first side 40, a second side 42, a third side 44, and a fourthside 46. The strips of adhesive 30a-d are shown evenly spaced, uniformin size and in shape, and in parallel alignment between the third side44 and the fourth side 46 of the sheet 22a. It will be appreciated,however, that the strips of adhesive 30a-d may vary in size, shape, andlocation upon the sheet of material 22a. That is, the strips 30a-d maybe asymmetrical in shape, length or placement. For example, the strips30a-d may be W-shaped, or have a continuous U-shape (not shown).

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate one method of use of the present invention. Thebasket lining material 10a is contained as a roll 48 in a dispenser 50,as illustrated in FIG. 10. The plurality of sheets of material 22a inthe roll 48 are connected by perforations (the sheet 22a shown partiallydetached and turned back for illustration purposes only). Alternatively,the roll 48 may simply be formed as a continuous roll 48 withoutperforations, and the basket lining material 10a may be severed intoseparate sheets 22a by a serrated cutting edge (not shown) containedwithin the dispenser 50, or by a separate cutting element (not shown).Any number of sheets of material 22a may form the roll 48 as long as itis possible to withdraw at least one sheet 22a from the roll 48 asdescribed previously. Optionally, a release strip (not shown, but likethe release strip 32 described before) may be used to cover the lowersurface 26a of the sheet 22a. It will be appreciated that the releasestrip will detach from the roll 48 in the same manner andsimultaneously, with the detachment of the sheet of material 22a.Referring to FIGS. 11-13, after being withdrawn and detached from theroll 48, the sheet 22 is placed in the basket 12a by exactly the samemethod shown in FIGS. 5-7 and previously described in detail.

Embodiments of FIGS. 14-19

Shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is a modified basket lining material 10b whichis constructed exactly like the basket lining material 10 shown in FIGS.1-3 and 5-7 and described in detail previously, except that the sheet ofmaterial 22b is transparent, and the adhesive on the lower surface 26bof the sheet 22b is comprised of a plurality of multi-color spots 30e.

Onlt one of the spots 30e is designated by the reference numeral inFIGS. 14-19. The spots 30e are uniformly sized, shaped and spaced. Itwill be appreciated, however, that the plurality of adhesive spots 30emay vary in size, shape and placement.

In another method of use, illustrated in FIG. 16, the transparent sheet22b is rolled into a continuous roll 48b of basket lining material 10bwithout a dispenser. In this embodiment, only one sheet 22b is includedin the roll 48b, although a plurality of sheets 22b could be included inthe roll 48b. The rolled sheet 22b acts as its own release strip 32b,thereby protecting the adhesive spots 30e on the lower surface 26b ofthe sheet 22b. Referring to FIGS. 17-19, the sheet 22b is rolled out,and disposed upon the inner surface 20b of the basket 12b, by exactlythe same method shown in FIGS. 5-7 and previously described in detailherein.

Embodiments of FIGS. 20-24

Shown in FIGS. 20-22 is a modified basket lining material 10c which isconstructed exactly like the basket lining material 10 shown in FIGS.1-4 and described in detail previously, except that the sheet ofmaterial 22c has an additional adhesive 30h disposed upon the uppersurface 24c of the sheet 22c, and the sheet 22c with its release strip32c is rolled into a roll 48c, as previously illustrated in FIG. 16 anddescribed in detail.

The additional adhesive 30h is disposed on the upper surface 24c of thesheet 22c by any method described herein, to substantially cover theentire upper surface 24c of the sheet 22c. It will be appreciated,however, that the additional adhesive 30h may also comprise strips,spots, or combinations thereof. The adhesive 30c' is attached to thelower surface 26c of the sheet 22c.

In another method of use, illustrated in FIG. 23, the sheet 22c isrolled into a roll 48c with the upper surface 24c of the sheet 22crolled inward to act as its own release strip 32c when unrolled, therelease strip 32c comprising then the outer surface of the roll 48c (therelease strip 32c is partially folded back for illustration purposesonly).

The sheet of material 22c is then rolled out, and the release strip 32cis removedfrom the lower surface 26c of the sheet 22c (not shown). Thesheet 22c is then disposed upon the inner surface 20c of the basket 12cby exactly the same method as previously shown in FIGS. 5-7 anddescribed in detail above. As shown in FIG. 24, the adhesive 30hdisposed upon the upper surface 24c of the sheet 22c will cause likeportions of the upper surface 24c of the sheet 22c to adhere to otherlike portions, forming adhesively connected overlapping folds 29c (shownin FIG. 24), creating a customized fit of the sheet 22c to the basket12c.

Embodiments of FIGS. 25-30

Shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 is a basket lining material 10d which isconstructed exactly like the basket lining material 10 shown in FIGS.1-4 and described in detail previously, except that a cohesive 30d' isdisposed on the lower surface 26d of the sheet 22d, and a cohesive 52 isdisposed on the inner surface of the basket 12d.

The cohesives 30d' and 52 are disposed upon the lower surface 26d of thesheet of material 22d, and disposed upon the inner surface 20d of thebasket 12d, respectively, by any method previously described herein fordisposing the adhesive 30 upon the sheet of material 22. Further, thecohesives 30d' and 52, respectively, cover substantially both the entirelower surface of the sheet of material 22d, and the entire inner surface20d of the basket 12d, as illustrated in FIG. 30. It will be appreciatedthat the cohesive 52 may comprise a solid section, strips, spots, or anycombination thereof. The cohesive 30d' and 52 used herein may be any oneof those known in the art and commercially available.

In another method of use, illustrated in FIGS. 27-30, the sheet ofmaterial 22d is disposed on the inner surface 20d of the basket 12d bythe same method previously shown in FIGS. 5-7 and described in detailherein. The cohesive 30d' on the lower surface 26d of the sheet ofmaterial 22d cohesively contacts like portions of the lower surface 26dof the sheet 22d, cohesively connecting one like portion of the lowersurface 26d of the sheet 22d to at least one other like portion. Thecohesive 30d' on the lower surface 26d of the sheet 22d also contactsthe cohesive 52 on the inner surface 20d of the basket 12d, cohesivelyconnecting the sheet of material 22d to the inner surface 20d of thebasket 12d. The cohesive connections of the sheet 22d to like portionsthereof and to the inner surface 26d of the basket 12d produceoverlapping folds and a customized fit of the sheet of material 22d tothe inner surface 20d of the basket 12d.

In a further embodiment (not shown), in lieu of the cohesive 52 on theinner surface 20 of the basket 12, an adhesive could be substituted.Then, the sheet of material 22 would not include an adhesive orcohesive. The sheet of material 22, when placed in the basket 12,against the inner surface 20 of the basket 12, would then contact theadhesive on the inner surface 20 of the basket 12 and the adhesive wouldadhesively connect the sheet of material 22 to the inner surface 20 ofthe basket 12. The method of placing the sheet of material 22 into thebasket 12 is consistent with those methods described previously herein.

Changes may be made in the embodiments of the invention described hereinor in parts or elements of the embodiments described herein or in thesteps or in the sequence of steps of the methods described hereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedin the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A basket lining material, comprising:a baskethaving an upper end, a lower end, and an outer surface, a basket openingbeing formed in the basket with a portion of the basket openingintersecting the upper end of the basket forming an inner surface havingcontours, the basket opening being sized and shaped for receiving itemsand the items being retained in the basket opening by the basket; and anunpreformed sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surfaceand an outer periphery, the sheet of material having an adhesive on atleast one surface thereof, the sheet of material being disposed in thebasket opening without first being preformed to conform to the innersurface of the basket the adhesive on the sheet of material beingdisposed adjacent the inner surface of the basket and the sheet ofmaterial being crushed and flattened against the inner surface of thebasket thereby forming a liner, the liner adhesively contacting andconnecting to the inner surface of the basket, the liner therebysubstantially conforming to the shape of the inner surface of thebasket, the adhesive bonding to the inner surface of the basket andholding the liner in place against the inner surface of the basket,wherein items placed in the basket are received upon the liner, andwherein the liner remains firmly and unmovingly connected to the innersurface of the basket when items are both disposed and retained on theliner.
 2. The basket lining material of claim 1 wherein the material isselected from the group consisting of man-made organic polymer films,fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural), paper, burlap,cellulose, foil, or combinations thereof.
 3. The basket lining materialof claim 1 wherein the sheet of material comprises a thickness in arange of less than about 0.2 mils to about 10 mils.
 4. The basket liningmaterial of claim 1 wherein the sheet of material comprises a thicknessin a range of less than about 0.5 mils to about 2.5 mils.
 5. A methodfor lining a basket with a basket lining material and placing items inthe lined basket, comprising:providing a basket having an upper end, alower end, and an outer surface, a basket opening being formed in thebasket with a portion of the basket opening intersecting the upper endof the basket forming an inner surface having contours, the basketopening being sized and shaped for receiving items and the items beingretained in the basket opening by the basket; providing an unpreformedsheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface and an outerperiphery, the sheet of material having an adhesive on at least onesurface thereof; disposing the sheet of material in the basket openingwithout first preforminq the sheet of material to conform to the innersurface of the basket, the adhesive on the sheet of materialbeing.disposed adjacent the inner surface of the basket; crushing andflattening the sheet of material against the inner surface of the basketthereby forming a liner, the liner adhesively contacting and connectingto the inner surface of the basket, the liner thereby substantiallyconforming to the shape of the inner surface of the basket, the adhesivebonding to the inner surface of the basket and holding the liner inplace aqainst the inner surface of the basket; providing items to bedisposed into the lined basket; and disposing the items in the linedbasket, wherein items placed in the basket are received upon the liner,and wherein the liner remains firmly and unmovingly connected to theinner surface of, the basket when items are both disposed and retainedon the liner.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the material is selectedfrom the group consisting of man-made organic polymer films, fabric(woven or nonwoven or snthetic or natural), paper, burlap, cellulose,foil, or combinations thereof.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein thesheet of material comprises a thickness in a range of less than about0.2 mils to about 10 mils.
 8. The method of claim 5 wherein the sheet ofmaterial comprises a thickness in a range of less than about 0.5 mils toabout 2.5 mils.